Columbia Public Schools science educator Mike Szydlowski is ending his 25-year teaching profession at the finish of the college year, but he will be about, he stated.
He announced his selection lately on Twitter.
“Right after 25 years of carrying out crazy applications for students/teachers, I have decided to retire soon after this year,” he tweeted. “I will do the out of the box stuff, but now from outdoors of the box operating as a system administrator for the Columbia STEM Alliance and operating our Wild Trek science trips.”
Anna Osborn, a reading specialist at Jefferson Middle College, exactly where Szydlowski operates, responded.
“Heartbroken to see @Szydlowskim leave CPS,” Osborn wrote. “As a parent, I’ve gotten to witness initial hand the influence he’s had on students. But excited that he will continue to influence STEM education in our neighborhood! Congrats Mike! Seeking forward to see what science magic you cook up!”
This is his 12th year in CPS, most of them as district science coordinator. Final year he transitioned to getting a middle college science teacher.
“I have loved what I have accomplished for the final 25 years, but teaching has gotten tougher and not as enjoyable,” Szydlowski stated of his selection. “The favored portion of my job has generally been carrying out exciting science projects with little ones. I located other methods to do that, operating trips and operating with the STEM Alliance.”
The Columbia STEM Alliance is a not-for-profit organization with a mission of delivering science, technologies, engineering and math to K-12 students.
“My objective is to drop the bureaucracy and concentrate on the portion I appreciate,” Szydlowski stated.
At CPS, Szydlowski has coordinated science trips for students to the Wonderful Smoky Mountains and Grand Teton National Park.
“With the STEM Alliance, we’re going to run our personal science trips and operate with distinct schools on composting applications,” Szydlowski stated.
He was instrumental in pushing for a Boone County Nature College. The Jefferson Middle College Zoo has been a different project. Jefferson became a science, technologies, engineering, arts and math college beneath his supervision.
He will be capable to operate with the college to hold the zoo going, he stated.
Oh, and his kids’ science column in the Tribune on Wednesdays will continue, he stated.
“I will have far more time to operate on them,” he stated.
Roger McKinney is the Tribune’s education reporter. You can attain him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He’s on Twitter at @rmckinney9.
